The Renegade
Der Renegat
Plot Summary
On Rorqual, David terGorden and Asen-Ger discuss the planet's strange psionic field and the need to connect with rebels in the Star Empire. David expresses his desire to leave Rorqual and deal with Yggdrasil's seeds. Meanwhile, the TASCA, captained by Llewellyn 709 and carrying Mandorla and Argan Pronk, arrives in the Brahma System near Tamerlan. They are intercepted by the Gray Guards, and Argan Pronk attempts to deceive them about their origins, claiming to be from Aqua seeking trade. Mandorla, posing as a Centurio, vouches for their story.
Despite their efforts, the Gray Guards remain suspicious and order the TASCA to remain in orbit. Llewellyn senses the presence of Gray Drivers on a Gray Guard ship approaching to board them. Fearing capture, Llewellyn and Roglan Alessandr hide in a cargo hold. The Gray Guards board the TASCA, arrest the Drivers, and allow Argan Pronk's delegation to proceed to Tamerlan.
On Tamerlan, Argan Pronk meets with President Fedor Temudschin and corporate representatives, including Edison Tontor, but the economic talks are unproductive. Fedor Temudschin reveals that he knows Mandorla is a former Queen of the Gray Guards. Edison Tontor also recognizes Mandorla and arranges a private meeting with her. He reveals that he is planning his revenge on Valdec and the Council, and seeks an alliance with the Terranauts.
Llewellyn and Roglan Alessandr land on Tamerlan in escape capsules. Llewellyn contacts Mandorla, but Edison Tontor answers, revealing his alliance with Mandorla. Edison Tontor then uses a Gravitron, a powerful weapon he developed, to destroy the Gray Guard headquarters and the spaceport on Tamerlan, seizing control of the planet. Llewellyn objects to the use of the Gravitron on civilian targets, leading to a conflict with Edison Tontor. Argan Pronk and Fedor Temudschin form the League of Free Worlds. Llewellyn reports back to David terGorden on Rorqual, who decides that they must investigate Shondyke, the homeworld of the Gray Guards.
Key Events
- 01 David terGorden and Asen-Ger discuss the situation on Rorqual and the need to connect with rebels.
- 02 The TASCA arrives in the Brahma System and is intercepted by the Gray Guards.
- 03 Argan Pronk attempts to deceive the Gray Guards about their origins.
- 04 Llewellyn senses the presence of Gray Drivers on a Gray Guard ship.
- 05 Llewellyn and Roglan Alessandr hide in a cargo hold to avoid capture.
- 06 The Gray Guards arrest the Drivers on the TASCA.
- 07 Argan Pronk meets with Fedor Temudschin and corporate representatives on Tamerlan.
- 08 Fedor Temudschin reveals that he knows Mandorla's true identity.
- 09 Edison Tontor arranges a private meeting with Mandorla and reveals his plan to take revenge on Valdec.
- 10 Llewellyn and Roglan Alessandr land on Tamerlan in escape capsules.
- 11 Edison Tontor uses the Gravitron to destroy the Gray Guard headquarters and the spaceport.
- 12 Llewellyn objects to the use of the Gravitron on civilian targets.
- 13 Argan Pronk and Fedor Temudschin form the League of Free Worlds.
- 14 Llewellyn reports back to David terGorden on Rorqual.
- 15 David terGorden decides that they must investigate Shondyke.
Characters
David terGorden — Heir of Power, a leader of the Terranauts on Rorqual. He is concerned about the lack of fighting spirit and wants to connect with rebels in the Star Empire.
Asen-Ger — Lodge Master, one of the founders and oldest leaders of the Terranauts. He is worried about David's changes and the questions he brought back from his glimpse into the past.
Llewellyn 709 — The Strap-man, a Terranaut and skilled telepath. He captains the TASCA and is determined to fight against the Council.
Mandorla — Former Queen of the Gray Guards, now allied with the Terranauts. She poses as Centurio Anja Lidice to infiltrate Tamerlan.
Argan Pronk — Governor of Aqua, leading a delegation to Tamerlan to seek trade. He is initially naive about the dangers but becomes more aware of the situation.
Edison Tontor — General Manager of the Consolidated Tontor Corporation (Con-Ton). He seeks revenge on Valdec and the Council and allies with the Terranauts.
Cosmoral Hanka — Queen of the Gray Guards on Tamerlan. She is suspicious of the Aquan delegation and Mandorla.
Einstein III — Research Director for Con-Ton, a brilliant physicist who developed the Gravitron.
Roglan Alessandr — A Terranaut with the gift of perceiving PSI emanations. He accompanies Llewellyn on the mission to Tamerlan.
Valentin Claudius — Lodge Master, freed from custody on Aqua. He is arrested by the Gray Guards on Tamerlan.
Fedor Temudschin — President of Tamerlan, secretly sympathetic to the Terranauts. He helps Argan Pronk and reveals his knowledge of Mandorla's true identity.
Locations
Rorqual — A planet in Space II where the Terranauts have established a base. It has a strange psionic field that blocks PSI activity.
Aqua — A water world and colonial planet that has declared independence from the Council. It is the origin of Argan Pronk's delegation.
Tamerlan — A highly industrialized world in the Brahma System, rich in rare metals. It is under the control of the Gray Guards and the Council.
Shondyke — The homeworld of the Gray Guards, a heavily guarded and secretive planet.
Brahma System — The star system containing Tamerlan.
Ships & Vehicles
Technology & Concepts
Drivers — PSI-gifted individuals who can navigate ships through Space II.
Space II — An alternate dimension used for interstellar travel.
Gray Guards — The military force of the Council, responsible for maintaining order in the Star Empire.
Kaiser Force — A new interstellar spacecraft drive developed by the Kaiser Corporation. It is considered dangerous and taboo by the Terranauts.
Gravitron — A powerful weapon developed by Einstein III that manipulates gravity to destroy matter.
Yggdrasil — The primeval tree, a source of mistletoe blossoms used to steer Driver ships.
League of Free Worlds — A political organization formed by Aqua and Tamerlan to oppose the Council.
Thought Screen — A mental barrier used by PSI-gifted individuals to protect their thoughts from telepathic intrusion.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of rebellion, betrayal, and the consequences of technological advancement. The tone is action-oriented and suspenseful, with a focus on political intrigue and military strategy. The narrative style is straightforward, with a clear emphasis on plot progression and character development.
Connections
Continues from: Follows the events of previous booklets, particularly concerning the aftermath of the battle against the Banshees and the establishment of the Terranaut base on Rorqual.
Leads into: Sets up the investigation of Shondyke and the conflict with Chan de Nouille.
Related booklets: Likely related to other booklets that feature the Terranauts, the Gray Guards, and the Kaiser Corporation.